Anambra agog for Achebe’s funeral

The Ogidi community near Onitsha in Anambra State has begun a comprehensive sanitation and demolition of shanties in preparation for the funeral of the late Prof Chinua Achebe.

The Anambra Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA) and the Onitsha municipal council have embarked on the clearing of refuse dumps in the area.

The government ordered the demolition of shanties and other objects that could obstruct the flow of traffic in Onitsha and its environs during the funeral.

The waste management agency is placing more than 30 tonnes receptacles in strategic places.

Idemili North Council is rehabilitating and re-painting buildings on the streets leading to the late Achebe’s compound in Ogidi.

Commissioner for Environment Sebastian Okoye told NAN that efforts were being made to clean up the environment for the funeral in Awka since the body would be received at Ekwueme Park, Awka.

“We are ready on it and if you go to Ekwueme Park, you will see how the place has been cleared and every place would be swept very properly. We are on it, there is no problem there.

“On areas in Idemili, the local government is taking charge; and we planned it in such a way that we make sure that area is clean and cleaned-up along with ASWAMA – that is the arrangement we have made. There is no other arrangement other than that I just told you.”

Okoye said his ministry would continue to improve the environment and would leave no stone unturned to achieve a clean environment.

Governor Peter Obi yesterday directed the Idemili North Transition Committee Chairman, Raphael Nnabuife, to ensure that any indiscriminately parked vehicle on the road was removed.

He pledged dequate security for the funeral. Already, there is restriction of movement into the late Achebe’s compound in Ogidi.

A funeral service is scheduled for the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka tomorrow morning.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Oselloka Obaze, said Achebe’s remains would be brought to Enugu from Abuja today. Governors of the five Southeast states are expected to receive the body at the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu.

The statement said the body would be brought to Awka, tomorrow morning.

A member of the Burial Committee, Sir Emeka Mbeledeogu, said all arrangements would be completed before the burial date.

Archdeacon in charge of Ogidi Archdeaconry, Ven. Obi Ubaka, said all arrangements required at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church would be met to accord a befitting funeral to the late Achebe.

On Sunday, Obi said the state was ready to accord Prof. Achebe a befitting burial.

Obi spoke while inspecting the St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area, where the burial service will take place on Thursday.

The governor had inspected the late Achebe’s country home and his final resting place, which was nearly completed and designed as a mini museum to house all Achebe’s works.

Obi, who expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations, urged Nigerians to emulate the late literary icon, noting that the state government would not relent in honouring people like the late Achebe, who contributed positively to the advancement of the society.

A group, Idemili North Concerned Citizens (IDNCC), urged Obi to up-grade the Prof Chinua Achebe’s library at the Idemili North council headquarters to a modern ICT library.

It also called for the renaming of the Anambra State University after the late storyteller.

In a communiqué by the Deputy Chairman of the group, Chief Chuks Igboanua, yesterday in Onitsha, the group said the late Achebe represented perfection in literature and scholarly learning, which it said, his existing library should depict.

The statement reads: “That the Idemili North Concerned Citizens (IDNCC) do hereby support the motion raised in the Anambra State House of Assembly for the change of Anambra State University (ANSU) to Chinua Achebe University.

“That Ugwu-Nwasike Road off Onitsha-Enugu Express Road crossing Round-about leading to Abatete be named Prof Chinua Achebe Road so as to immortalise his name.

“We appeal to the Anambra State and Idemili North Local Government to please refurbish and up-grade the Prof Chinua Achebe’s Library at Ogidi to Modern ICT Library to at least reflect the actual purpose and intentions of Prof Chinua Achebe.’’

The statement said the group would partner with the late Prof Chinua Achebe’s Burial Committee in the preparations and burial of the late literary icon.

It called on Ndi-gbo to stand for the truth and unity of the country as the late Achebe had done and urged all Igbo sons and daughters to shun materialism, corruption, and evil acts.